State Urges Residents to Apply For Low-Cost Health Coverage

PLAINFIELD — On Aug. 14, state Department of Human Services Commissioner Jennifer Velez announced a recent visit to Plainfield Neighborhood Health Center to encourage qualified residents to apply for NJ FamilyCare or NJ FamilyCare ADVANTAGE.
Both programs, operated by DHS, provide health free or low-cost health care coverage to low- and moderate-income families for their children.
In July, Governor Corzine signed legislation that expanded NJ FamilyCare eligibility for parents earning up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or $42,400 a year for a family of four. NJ FamilyCare ADVANTAGE is an affordable health insurance plan available to qualified children in families earning more than 350 percent of the federal poverty level, or $74,200 a year for a family of four. Premiums range from $137 to $411 monthly depending on family size.
“Except for the presence of health centers in low-income, largely minority communities, individuals either would go without health care, pay greater out-of-pocket costs, or use emergency rooms even more frequently,” said Velez.
“This last factor would substantially increase the cost of primary care and chronic disease management in an already over-burdened, expensive health care system.”
Velez noted that with the recent hospital closures in New Jersey, DHS is keenly aware that the federally qualified health centers, like the Cape Community Health Center on Route 9 in Court House, will be called upon to provide for the ever-increasing needs of Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare recipients.
“New Jersey’s 82 health centers have been tireless champions for NJ FamilyCare and a strong voice for expanded community-based primary and specialty-care capacity,” Velez said. “Our missions are the same: We are committed to caring for New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents.”
Information and applications for NJ FamilyCare and NJ FamilyCare ADVANTAGE can be found at www.state.nj.us/humanservices.